Fabulous balance, fine tension

A complex vintage bears fruit

It isn't just Europe that had a great 2015. South Australia also enjoyed a very successful harvest after what was at times a complex growing season. Harvest dates varied wildly with an early start for the Syrah and other Rhone varieties that involved Drew pulling the kids out of school for a few days to help with picking - he reckons they learn a lot more from their fellow pickers than they would in the playground! After this excitement there was a long gap before the Cabernet Sauvignons were harvested. Drew is delighted with the Noon 2015s and he thinks they've ended up with some of their best ever wines. Yields were exceedingly low for the Cabernet in particular but Drew and Rae were able to buy more fruit from their favourite grower so final quantities are similar to normal.

In James Halliday's vintage assessment he always asks growers which varieties did best. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache all stood out in his survey. From his tastings all the reds have fabulous acid balance, very strong colours and delicious flavours. The wines will all mature over a long period of time but the Grenache wines will be delicious from the off. In Langhorne Creek there is excellent colour and a lovely tension between tannin and acidity, while McLaren Vale wines show good acidity, bright fruit flavours and highly expressive varietal characters. /CW

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